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52 key articles — UPSC-first. All 464 articles coming shortly. Filter the list, then open an article to read it on the explorer.
Part I — The Union and its Territory
Part III — Fundamental Rights
12DefinitionWhen Part III talks about “the State”, it means more than the Union government: State governments,…UPSC13Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rightsIf a law clashes with a fundamental right, that part of the law is void. Later, a clause was added so this…UPSC14Equality before lawThe State must treat people equally before the law. It can classify groups for a genuine public reason, but…UPSC15Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birthCitizens cannot be shut out of public life only because of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.…UPSC16Equality of opportunity in matters of public employmentPublic jobs must be open equally to citizens. Reservations for backward classes, SCs, STs, and economically…UPSC17Abolition of UntouchabilityUntouchability is not a social custom the Constitution will tolerate. Practising it, or enforcing a…18Abolition of titlesThe State cannot hand out aristocratic titles. Military and academic distinctions are the exceptions; even…19Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etcCitizens get six freedoms — speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession — but each…UPSC20Protection in respect of conviction for offencesCriminal law cannot be used as a trap: no punishment under a law that did not exist at the time, no double…UPSC21Protection of life and personal libertyThe State cannot take your life or your personal freedom unless it follows a procedure that is fair, not…UPSC22Protection against arrest and detention in certain casesIf you are arrested, you must be told why, allowed a lawyer, and produced before a magistrate. Preventive…UPSC23Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labourBuying and selling human beings, begar, and other forced labour are banned. The State may still require…24Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etcChildren under fourteen cannot be put to work in factories, mines, or other hazardous jobs. This is a hard…25Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religionEveryone may hold a faith, practise it, and share it, subject to public order, morality, and health. The…UPSC26Freedom to manage religious affairsA religious denomination can run its own institutions and manage its own religious affairs, again within…27Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religionYou cannot be forced to pay a tax whose proceeds are earmarked to promote or maintain any particular religion.28Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutionsWholly State-funded schools cannot give religious instruction. In other institutions, nobody can be made to…29Protection of interests of minoritiesA group with its own language, script, or culture can conserve it. No citizen should be refused admission to…30Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutionsReligious and linguistic minorities have a right to set up and administer their own educational…32Remedies for enforcement of rights conferred by this PartFundamental rights are not merely printed promises. You can go straight to the Supreme Court, which can…UPSC33Power of Parliament to modify the rights conferred by this Part in their application to Forces, etc.Parliament may restrict or modify fundamental rights for the armed forces, police, and similar disciplined…34Restriction on rights conferred by this Part while martial law is in force in any areaWhen martial law is in force, Parliament may indemnify people for acts done to restore order, and validate…35Legislation to give effect to the provisions of this PartOnly Parliament — not State legislatures — can make certain laws that this Part requires, including…
Part IV — Directive Principles
36DefinitionIn the Directive Principles, “the State” has the same wide meaning as in the fundamental rights chapter.37Application of the principles contained in this PartDirective Principles are not like fundamental rights: you usually cannot sue to enforce them. They are still…38State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the peopleThe State is told to build a social order based on justice — not only courts, but welfare, so people can…39Certain principles of policy to be followed by the StatePolicy should aim at livelihood for all, equal pay ideas, and so distributing community resources that they…UPSC40Organisation of village panchayatsThe State should organise village panchayats and give them enough authority to work as units of local…44Uniform civil code for the citizensThe Constitution asks the State to work toward a uniform civil code — one set of personal laws for citizens…UPSC45Provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six yearsAfter the 86th Amendment, this principle focuses on early childhood care and education up to age six. Free…50Separation of judiciary from executiveThe State should separate the judiciary from the executive in its public services, so the people who judge…51Promotion of international peace and securityIndia’s foreign-policy ideals are written here: peace, just international relations, respect for…
Part V — The Union
72Power of President to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain casesThe President may pardon, reprieve, or commute sentences in Union matters and in all death sentences — a…74Council of Ministers to aid and advise PresidentThe President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. That…UPSC75Other provisions as to MinistersThere is a Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, to aid and advise the President. The Council…UPSC123Power of President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of ParliamentWhen Parliament is not in session, the President may issue an ordinance if immediate action is needed. It…UPSC124Establishment and constitution of Supreme CourtThere shall be a Supreme Court of India, with a Chief Justice and other judges. Their independence is…UPSC136Special leave to appeal by the Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court may grant special leave to hear an appeal from almost any court or tribunal. It is…UPSC141Law declared by Supreme Court to be binding on all courts. 65What the Supreme Court declares as law binds every court in India. That is how a single constitutional…UPSC148Comptroller and Auditor-General of IndiaThe Comptroller and Auditor-General audits Union and State accounts. The office is designed to be…
Part VI — The States
Part XI — Relations between the Union and the States
245Extent of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of StatesParliament may legislate for India; a State legislature may legislate for that State — both subject to the…246Subject-matter of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of StatesLaw-making power is split by three lists: Union, State, and Concurrent. If a subject is on the Union List,…UPSC256Obligation of States and the UnionState governments must comply with parliamentary laws. The Union can give directions to a State to make that…263Provisions with respect to an inter-State CouncilThe President may set up an Inter-State Council to talk through disputes and coordination between States,…
Part XV — Elections
324Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an Election CommissionThe Election Commission, not the government of the day, has superintendence over elections to Parliament,…UPSC326Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrageLok Sabha and State Assembly elections are based on adult suffrage. Every adult citizen is a voter unless…UPSC
Part XVIII — Emergency Provisions
352Proclamation of EmergencyThe President may proclaim a national emergency if war, external aggression, or armed rebellion threatens.…UPSC356Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in StatesIf a State’s constitutional machinery fails, the President may assume its government — “President’s Rule”.…UPSC